The family of Arlene Holmes (O'Hara) have said they are "overwhelmed" by the support from the public and donations they have received to help cover her funeral costs.

31-year-old Arlene died in London despite a desperate dash to find her a liver donor after she fell ill with a bug.

The mother of two became sick last Wednesday and was taken to A&E at the Royal Victoria Hospital. She was sent home the following day but collapsed at her Springhill home last Friday night.

Family friend Hugh O’Halloran said: “Arlene’s husband Tommy found her collapsed and took her straight to the RVH again and she was airlifted to Kings Cross Hospital, London.

"What started as a bug escalated to liver failure very fast and although the doctors at Kings Cross and the RVH hoped she would get a liver donor and her life would be saved, it wasn’t possible, there just wasn’t time. "

A support fund set up on Go Fund Me has already raised £3,484 in just a matter of hours as people from across the country send to donations to help Arlene's family to pay for funeral expenses.

The appeal has been shared more than 1000 times and and 222 people have made donations to the fund.

Hugh said: "Thank you, one and all, for the love and support for Arlene’s family! They are overwhelmed! This will allow them to provide the funeral that Arlene deserves and relieve the stress on how they would pay for it. The funds will also help Arlene’s husband and kids in the days to come."

“Arlene was a wonderful girl, a brilliant mum whose boys meant everything to her. Her oldest son has severe autism and we just don’t know how he’ll cope."